MREC members have been helping farms and homes to improve energy efficiency for over 50 years. Follow these links for resources to help you implement energy saving technologies on agricultural production and food processing facilities.

There are 6 sections of resources:

1. General Issues in Agricultural Energy Efficiency,
2. Ventilation,
3. Grain Drying,
4. Lighting,
5. Greenhouse Energy Use
6. Other

1. General Issues in Agricultural Energy Efficiency

Publications from MREC and other sources on General Issues in Ag Energy Efficiency

• Agriculture Energy Efficiency Best Practices Guidebook, by Focus on Energy, (2016)
• Midwest Plan Service
  • Dairy Freestall Housing and Equipment (2013)

MREC Conference Presentations on General Issues in Agricultural Energy Efficiency

• Are you Milking Your Farm’s Efficiency? Jessica Mslna, Focus on Energy (2020)
• Comparing Energy Use on Different Types of Dairy Farms, Kirsten Sharpe, University of Minnesota (2020)
• Energy Efficiency and Renewables Incentive Programs, Gary Gilles, GDS Associates (2018)
• Calculating Usage to Identify Potential Energy Savings, Fred Daniels, Franklin Energy Services (2017)
• Understanding Electric Rates, Shaurice Moorman and Josh Mulder, Power Systems Engineering (2017)
• Energy Efficient Technologies & Implementation for Swine and Poultry, Fritz Ebinger, University of MN Extension (2017)
• Using Renewable Energy Systems in Dairy Production, Brad Heins, University of MN West Central Research and Outreach Center (2017)
• Energy Efficiency Measures and Herd Size, Fred Daniels, Franklin Energy Services and Nicole Zaidel, Focus on Energy, (2016)
• VFD Applications and Energy Savings in Agriculture – Robin Priestley, Rockwell Automation (2014)

Organizations with information and resources on General Issues in Agricultural Energy Efficiency

• UW Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Resource
  A website with resources on  energy conservation, renewable energy, and energy use.
• UW Milk Quality Lab
• Cornell University Pro-Dairy Program website page on “Facilities Resources”, scroll through listing to find information on ventilation, cooling, and lighting in dairy barns.

2. Ventilation

Publications from MREC and other sources on Ventilation

• Save energy in the farrowing room with hovers, by Larry Jacobson and Lee Johnston

MREC Conference Presentations on Ventilation

• Cross-ventilated Dairy Barns, Dean Doornink, D & S Ag Operations, Baldwin WI (2016)
• Energy Use in Swine Production, Larry Jacobson, University of Minnesota (2015)
• Overview of Ventilation Techniques, Brian Holmes, University of Wisconsin-Extension (2014)
• Ventilation and Energy Costs, by Fred Daniels, Franklin Energy Services, (2013)
• Ventilation Loads in Large Dairies, Fred Daniels, Franklin Energy and Rob Juneau, Wisconsin Public Service (2013)

Organizations with information and resources on Ventilation

• Midwest Plan Service Publications on Ventilation for Livestock Housing
• Kansas State University Department of Animal Sciences and Industry website, go to Dairy Research and Extension and scroll down to section on “Facilities”, and “Heat Stress” to see publications on ventilation and fans.
• Cooling Systems for Georgia Dairy Cattle
• Auburn University Poultry Ventilation and Housing

3. Grain Drying

Publications from MREC and other sources on Grain Drying

• Management of In-Bin Natural Air Grain Drying Systems to Minimize Energy Cost, by T. Dorn, University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension (2011)

MREC Conference Presentations on Grain Drying

• Grain Drying and Related Issues, Mark Hanna, Iowa State University (2015)
• Energy Efficient Corn Drying, by Kenneth Hellevang, North Dakota State University Extension, (2014)

4. Lighting

Publications from MREC and other sources on Lighting

• LED Lighting: Where are We Going From Here? Fred Daniels, Franklin Energy Services (2018)
• Increase Milk Production and Reduce Energy Costs with Long Day Lighting, by M.Charles Gould, Michigan State University Extension, 2015
• Lighting Technology: LED Lamps for Home, Farm, and Small Business, by S. Sanford, University of Wisconsin-Extension, (2014)

MREC Conference Presentations on Lighting

• LED Lighting and the Farm, Bart Schultz, LED Illumination Specialists (2016)
• Energy Efficient Lighting, by Scott Sanford, University of Wisconsin-Extension, (2014)
• LED’s: The Rapidly Changing World of Light, Rodney Heller, Energy Performance Lighting (2013)

5. Greenhouse Energy Use

• Greenhouse Energy Conservation Strategies, by E. Runkle (Michigan State University Extension) and A. Both, (Rutgers), (2011)
• Energy Conservation for Commercial Greenhouses, by J. Bartok, Jr., NRAES publication (2001)

6. Other

• Solar Grazing: Livestock Used to Manage Land Under Solar Panels, Jonathan Barter, American Solar Grazing Association (see handouts below) (2020)
  • What is Solar Grazing and How Does It Work?
  • Quick Guide to Sheep-Friendly Solar Design
  • Co-locating Utility-Scale Solar with Livestock and Pollinators
  • The Agricultural, Economic, and Environmental Potential of Co-locating Utility-Scale Solar with Sheep
• Energy, Water and Time Efficient Hot Water Systems, Gary Klein, Klein and Associates (2017)
• Diesel: Managing Energy Use on the Farm, Mark Hannah, Iowa State University Extension & Outreach (2013)